narrative in data visualization
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Narrative in Data Visualization. Visual Information & Narrative. Information needs to be contextualized to give it meaning Process of visualizing data consists of giving it form and meaning through narrative Narrative structure: spatial , and/or time - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Winter 2007
Media Arts and TechnologyGraduate ProgramUC Santa Barbara
MAT 259 Visualizing Information
Narrative in Data Visualization
Winter 2007
Media Arts and TechnologyGraduate ProgramUC Santa Barbara
MAT 259 Visualizing Information
Visual Information & Narrative Information needs to be contextualized to
give it meaning Process of visualizing data consists of
giving it form and meaning through narrative
Narrative structure: spatial, and/or time 2D visualization: Can express time through
movement around the space of the image Or through sequence of images 3D spatial visualization: Multiple point of
views
Winter 2007
Media Arts and TechnologyGraduate ProgramUC Santa Barbara
MAT 259 Visualizing Information
Narrative Temporal Structure
1. Start: Situation definition
2. Event: Event, transition, action, verb, etc.
3. Closure: Group information to make sense Any of the 3 may be implied
Story normally evolves in time Time often represented in space (graph)
Winter 2007
Media Arts and TechnologyGraduate ProgramUC Santa Barbara
MAT 259 Visualizing Information
After the Storm: Simulation of a Severe Storm
Sequence: implies plot development Divided screen: subsections imply
sequence Shape: Horizontal implies time length Spatial proximity: object placed next to
another signifies relationship Direction: left-to-right, or reverse Scale: signifies hierarchy Repetition: Rhythmic emphasis
Winter 2007
Media Arts and TechnologyGraduate ProgramUC Santa Barbara
MAT 259 Visualizing Information
After the Storm: Simulation of a Severe Storm
Original video produced from data generated by a simulation on a CRAY supercomputer at NCSA, Illinois
The simulation models the genesis and lifetime of a severe storm
Edward Tufte proposed some optimization to the visualization
Winter 2007
Media Arts and TechnologyGraduate ProgramUC Santa Barbara
MAT 259 Visualizing Information
After the Storm: Simulation of a Severe Storm
Reduce impact of grid as it is too dominant Aim for “just-noticeable difference” Reduce dramatized colors (naturalize) Provide clear timeline (red horizontal line) Replace frentic time clock with mini-icons Clarify that vertical scale is non-proportional Make the storm the dominant visual element
Winter 2007
Media Arts and TechnologyGraduate ProgramUC Santa Barbara
MAT 259 Visualizing Information
After the Storm: Simulation of a Severe Storm
Winter 2007
Media Arts and TechnologyGraduate ProgramUC Santa Barbara
MAT 259 Visualizing Information
After the Storm: Color Coding Issues
Colors based on “intent of analysis tasks” Colorbar necessary to identify quantitative
data values Fewer colors that group best is better then
full rainbow For best color discrimination, use a limited
color scheme (4 to 7)
Winter 2007
Media Arts and TechnologyGraduate ProgramUC Santa Barbara
MAT 259 Visualizing Information
After the Storm: Simulation of a Severe Storm
Winter 2007
Media Arts and TechnologyGraduate ProgramUC Santa Barbara
MAT 259 Visualizing Information
Cinematic Time Based Narrative (Gérard Genette) Order: Temporal-order of the narrative Duration: Timing structure of the narrative Frequency: relationship between event and
its retelling Mood: Distance and perspective
1. Distance: Is it told in direct, indirect mode?
2. Perspective: point of view• From a fixed position• Outside the action• Narrator knows less then the characters
Voice: What kind of narrator implied?
Winter 2007
Media Arts and TechnologyGraduate ProgramUC Santa Barbara
MAT 259 Visualizing Information
In the Screen/Image: Visual Narrative Tools Sequence: implies plot development Divided screen: subsections imply
sequence Shape: Horizontal implies time length Spatial proximity: object placed next to
another signifies relationship Direction: left-to-right, or reverse Scale: signifies hierarchy Repetition: Rhythmic emphasis
Winter 2007
Media Arts and TechnologyGraduate ProgramUC Santa Barbara
MAT 259 Visualizing Information
Invisible Shape of Things Past, Art + Com, Berlin
A spatial, temporal concept for the organization and navigation of film objects of a particular site over time
Video Documentation
Pdf Document
Winter 2007
Media Arts and TechnologyGraduate ProgramUC Santa Barbara
MAT 259 Visualizing Information
Bibliography
“After the Storm: considerations for Information Visualization”, NCSA, U of Illinois
“Visual Explanations”, Edward Tufte Art + Com, Berlin